Les Pieds sur Terre

(“Feet on the Ground”) is the acclaimed natural wine domaine of Valentin Morel, based in the Jura region. A native of Poligny, Valentin took over his family’s vineyards in 2014 after studying international law and politics. Before leading the domaine, he gained hands-on experience working with natural wine pioneers such as Pierre Frick and Bruno Schueller in Alsace.

Valentin’s winemaking philosophy centers on pure terroir expression with minimal intervention, embodying the principles of natural wine:

  • Organic and Biodynamic Farming: Valentin practices organic viticulture, with certification underway or recently achieved on many plots. Inspired by biodynamic teachings, he nurtures healthy, living soils and vines to produce vibrant grapes.

  • Single-Vineyard Bottlings: Moving away from his father’s varietal-focused style, Valentin highlights the unique character of each vineyard parcel through dedicated single-vineyard wines.

  • Minimal Cellar Intervention:

    • Fermentations are spontaneous, relying solely on indigenous yeasts.

    • Wines are unfined and unfiltered, preserving natural texture and complexity.

    • No sulfur is added at any stage, emphasizing natural purity.

  • Aging: Wines mature in neutral vessels like old demi-muids and stainless steel, maintaining freshness and minerality without oak influence.

  • “Ouillé” Whites: Many white wines (Chardonnay, Savagnin) are crafted in the traditional “ouillé” style—topped-up to avoid oxidation—resulting in fresh, pure, and precise expressions.

Valentin Morel manages about 6 hectares across five vineyard sites near Poligny, growing Jura’s classic grapes: Chardonnay, Savagnin, Poulsard, Trousseau, and Pinot Noir. He is also experimenting with hybrid varieties to enhance disease resistance and innovate within Jura’s winemaking traditions.

Where to Find Les Pieds sur Terre Wines (Valentin Morel - Jura, France)

Online Retailers (Global & EU Focus)

Cave Pur Jus (Online, France/Europe) A French online wine merchant dedicated to natural wines, featuring wines from Les Pieds sur Terre.
RAW WINE (Producer Profile - Provides Retailer/Distributor Links) The RAW WINE fair website features a producer profile for Les Pieds sur Terre, which often includes links to their global distributors and key retailers.
**Specialized Natural Wine Shops Online:** Given their popularity, many online retailers globally focusing on organic and natural wines will carry Les Pieds sur Terre, though stock can be limited due to high demand.

International Retailers & Distributors (Examples by Region)

  • **France (Jura & Beyond):**
    • **Winery Direct Sales & Visits:** Les Pieds sur Terre is located at **8 Rue Jacques Coittier, 39800 Poligny, France**. As a small, artisanal domaine, visits are typically by appointment only. It's highly recommended to contact Valentin Morel directly in advance.
      Email: [No public email readily available, but often through importers or social media]
      Phone: +33 6 75 08 21 02 (Valentin Morel)
      Their basic contact website: vinlespiedssurterre.fr (primarily for French retailers)
    • **Specialized Wine Shops (Cavistes) & Restaurants:** Widely available in natural wine-focused shops and restaurants across France, especially in the Jura region (e.g., in Poligny, Arbois) and major cities.
  • **United States:**
    • **Vivant Selections (Importer):** A prominent importer of natural wines into the US, Vivant Selections is a key distributor for Les Pieds sur Terre. Their website provides detailed producer information and often indicates availability with their retail partners across various states (vivantselections.com).
    • **Specialty Natural Wine Retailers:** Look for independent wine shops in major metropolitan areas that emphasize natural, organic, and traditional French wines from the Jura. Retailers that work with Vivant Selections are most likely to stock Les Pieds sur Terre.
    • **Astor Wines & Spirits (NYC):** A renowned retailer that often carries Les Pieds sur Terre wines (astorwines.com).
  • **United Kingdom:**
    • **Modal Wines (Importer/Retailer):** A significant UK importer and retailer specializing in natural wines, frequently stocking Les Pieds sur Terre (modalwines.com).
    • **Furanxo (Retailer):** A London-based shop known for natural wines that often carries Les Pieds sur Terre (furanxo.com - check "Jura" category).
    • **Independent Natural Wine Merchants:** Les Pieds sur Terre is highly popular in the UK natural wine scene; check with dedicated shops in London and other cities.
  • **Germany:**
    • **Viniculture (Importer/Retailer):** A well-known natural wine importer in Germany that often features Les Pieds sur Terre in their portfolio. Inquire with them or their partner retailers (viniculture.de).
    • *Look for other specialized importers of high-quality French organic/natural wines.*
  • **Australia:**
    • **Living Wines (Importer):** A prominent importer of natural wines into Australia, representing Les Pieds sur Terre. Inquire with Australian retailers who stock from Living Wines (livingwines.com.au).